Spain: Mediaset sets fines record

Mediaset Spain has not only leading the audience ratings in Spain, but also lead in the fines charged for breaking TV regulations, above in advertising.

The group, operator of Tele 5 and Cuatro, among other channels, has been fined 47 times totalling €20.6 million by the competition authorities over the last three years.

Most of the sanctions are related to the breach of advertising limits and the obligations imposed by the CNMC of separating the ad sales between Tele 5 and Cuatro following their merger. Only in 2015 Mediaset has been fined on 42 occasions totalling €4.7 million.

Its main rival, Atresmedia, owner of Antena 3 TV and La Sexta among others, has been fined 8 times in the last three years making a total of €730,000.